See Madrugada live!

The upcoming fourth album from masters of North-Norwegian melancholic rock, Madrugada is one of the year's most anticipated releases on the Norwegian scene. Join in and watch one of Norwegian rock's flagships live at a live webcast from the band’s release party in Oslo on Wed 23 February.

One of the year’s most anticipated releases, Madrugada’s ‘The Deep End’ album will see its release next week. 23 Feb was the night for the release party at Oslo’s Parkteatret. Don’t despair if you weren't not here – the gig was recorded and streamed live on the web, enabling a global audience to join in. This link brings you to Norwegian daily VG's video download site. Click the link below the text that reads (in Norwegian) "Se Madrugadas releasekonsert" .

An in-form Madrugada played a spirited and energetic gig at by:Larm in Stavanger some two weeks ago, confirming that the band’s eager to get back on the road, fulfilling the role as Norwegian rock’s flagship.

The Deep EndThe band members have all their own opinion on the meaning of the new album’s title. Says vocalist Sivert Høyem: “It’s about the feeling of not being in control, the sinking feeling, the deep end of the swimming pool.” Guitarist Robert Burås has a different take: “It’s got this classic ring to it” is his answer, while bass player Frode Jacobsen says: “When you hear that title, a lot of word associations come to mind. It works on many levels. You get to a stage in life when it’s time to learn how to swim.”

The tight-knitted trio (drummer Simen Vangen left the band in mid-February) have come a long way since the band first got together in Stokmarknes in Northern Norway in the early nineties. The band relocated to Oslo in 1995, gigged relentlessly all over town and subsequently landed a deal with Virgin in 1999. The band’s debut ‘Industrial Silence’ catapulted Madrugada into the mainstream with platinum sales and sold out tours in Norway. The band managed the transition to the international stage well and has built up a loyal following in Europe and a steadily growing audience in the US. Madrugada have sold in excess of 400 000 copies of their three previous albums, have toured extensively across Europe, UK and US and scored a major hit with the Majesty single from 2002’s ‘Grit’ album.

Madrugada’s new ‘The Deep End’ album (which is scheduled for domestic release on 28 February) has been recorded over two months in Los Angeles with famed producer Geroge Drakoulias (known for his contributions to Tom Petty, The Black Crowes, The Jayhawks, Ride and Primal Scream productions) and mixer/engineer Dave Bianco (U2, Throwing Muses, Johnny Cash and Mick Jagger). Rumour has it that ‘The Deep End’ could be Madrugada’s strongest album to date – the release is surrounded by massive expectations from the band’s loyal following in Norway (and abroad).

Sound citySays bass player Frode Jacobsen on working with Drakoulias: “We worked at Sound City where many brilliant albums like Nirvana’s Nevermind have been recorded. It’s Dave Grohl’s favourite studio to record drums in. George brought 20 electric guitars, eight different bass guitars, great old amplifiers from the fifties,” he enthuses. “We really had a chance to try out all those different sounds. He’s very complete as a producer, he’s a musician himself. With David, they were really a good team, they’d worked on Primal Scream’s Give Out But Don’t Give Up together.” Indeed, Subterranean Sunlight, one of the pivotal tracks on Madrugada’s new album, suddenly shifts from Burås’ twangy guitar into the realms of what Høyem calls “soul swagger. It’s one of the songs that George and Dave influenced the most.” All three musicians agree, “Subterranean has a bit of that Manchester groove thing going. Stones Roses, Happy Mondays. It’s a cool story, about a bad party in Oslo.”

BadalementiFittingly, the group, whose brooding music could be the soundtrack for a film Lynch has yet to make, worked with the American director’s composer of choice Angelo Badalamenti on the ominously beautiful track Hold On To You. “That was fantastic because, to us, he is like the Holy Grail of film music. The Twin Peaks soundtrack is amazing and we used to go up on Mulholland Drive while we were recording in L.A. It just worked so perfectly,” says front-man Høyem.

A replacement for former drummer Simen Vangen has also been found. Erland Dahlen, recognised for his work with Hanne Hukkelberg, Xploding Plastix and Kaada, will sit in the drummer’s chair during this spring’s domestic tour. It is not known yet whether if he will be a permanent replacement or if he will be a ‘hired gun’ for the upcoming tours.

The track listing of the upcoming ‘The Deep End’ album is also now official:

1. The Kids Are On High Street2. On Your Side3. Hold On To You4. Stories From The Streets5. Running Out Of Time6. The Lost Gospel7. Elektro Vakuum8. Subterranean Sunlight9. Hard To Come Back10. Ramona11. Slow Builder12. Sail Away